Chapter 14: Going Up the Mountain, Meeting Fate

Giggle giggle~~ Giggle giggle~~

The early morning in the Bale Mountains was quiet and peaceful. Morning mist covered the surrounding scenery, and there was a slight feeling of cold. However, this morning, bursts of silver-bell-like laughter broke the usual silence.

Giggle giggle~~ Giggle giggle~~

Looking at his son running happily ahead, Luo Pei rubbed his temples with a look of helplessness. He originally would not have agreed to bring Luo Yan up the mountain no matter what. After all, they were going hunting, not on a trip. Especially knowing they might encounter that terrible Magic Beast, he could not possibly let his genius son take such a risk!

However, the boy Luo Yan had woken up early and secretly followed him all the way. By the time Luo Pei discovered him, they had already walked for nearly two hours. At that point, he obviously could not send the little guy back; otherwise, nothing would get done today. In the end, he had no choice but to agree to bring Luo Yan along.

Because of this, two extra members joined the hunting party this time. One was Old Strom, the only Magic Professional in Talim Village, and the other was little Luo Yan, who had come along for the ride. He was only five years old this year. According to the most popular saying of the time, he was the “youngest hunter in history”… though if Old Strom had been the one asking for a favor, Luo Yan’s little bottom probably still would have been in trouble.

As for whether a five-year-old hunter was truly the “youngest hunter in history,” Luo Pei actually did not know, nor did he care about the issue. What he cared about now was his son, who had far too much energy. The boy kept running back and forth along the way, and Luo Pei did not know what he was busy with. Luo Pei felt he had never seen Luo Yan be so restless; he almost wanted to cry out in despair in his heart.

In truth, at this moment, Luo Yan was also crying in his heart. Although being reborn was a wonderful thing, why couldn’t he bring back a single piece of spatial equipment from before his rebirth!! Oh my goddess, why couldn’t you let me bring back one piece of spatial equipment? Even that spatial ring with only ten square meters… hmm~~ even that spatial necklace with only five square meters would have worked!

Looking at another alchemy material, “Oak Smoke Flower,” appearing before his eyes, Luo Yan felt conflicted! “Marigold,” “Tros Grass,” “Xinke Wood”… how many kinds of alchemy materials had he encountered on the way? Luo Yan could use these things for his future cultivation, but he had to give them up because he had no way to carry them. Luo Yan wanted to cry but had no tears. Although these were the lowest-grade alchemy materials that could be easily bought by the basket in a big city, the problem was that they were not readily available in Talim Village.

Waaa~~ Why couldn’t I bring back a single piece of spatial equipment!!

Turning another mountain corner, Luo Yan saw a grove of vine berries in the distance. He gave a cheer and pounced toward them. These tiny berries were his favorite fruit. Keeping one in his mouth and feeling that sweet taste made his soul feel like it was floating.

However, his “recklessness” completely angered Luo Pei. Widening his eyes, the Director roared sternly, “Luo Yan, can’t you be a bit better?! If you don’t behave, I’m going to spank you in a moment!!”

Such a threat felt powerful, but who would have thought the little person ahead would answer in a crisp voice without even looking back, “Hum~~ If you dare hit me, I’ll tell Mommy to pull your ears!!”

Hearing this, Luo Pei became extremely embarrassed. Several members of the hunting party beside him also burst out laughing. Now, he found a way to vent his frustration, and he immediately shouted with a serious face, “What are you laughing at?! Pay attention to the situation! If a Magic Beast jumps out and ambushes us, let’s see how you’ll laugh then!!”

The men shrank back after being scolded by Luo Pei and quickly turned around, pretending to be serious and alert. When they set out this time, Luo Pei had already told them that they might be retaliated against by a second-level Magic Beast, the Pinecone Bear. However, to avoid causing panic, he deliberately emphasized that the Pinecone Bear did not have high magic resistance and that Old Strom, the village’s only Magic Professional, would go up the mountain with them. Therefore, while the hunting party members were focused, no one was afraid; they simply remained vigilant along the way.

On the contrary, Luo Pei and Old Strom were the most nervous people now. The guidebook only said the Pinecone Bear’s magic resistance was not high, but how “not high” was it exactly? Could the magic cast by a Magic Apprentice actually cause it damage? Could Old Strom really handle that monster? They still felt uncertain about these questions in their hearts.

As for the person who was the least nervous, it was naturally Luo Yan. Or rather, he was very relaxed. Unlike Old Strom, who only knew about the Pinecone Bear from the guidebook, Luo Yan had a direct understanding of its terrifying strength and its even more “terrifying” magic resistance… Before his rebirth, it was true that Luo Yan was a shut-in, but he was still a level seven Magister. He had experienced everything a Wizard should experience. He had even fought a second-level Magic Beast like the Pinecone Bear in a real battle, so he understood it very clearly.

That was why Luo Yan was “playing” so happily, because he knew very well—as long as they controlled the pace, it would actually be quite easy for Old Strom to kill a Pinecone Bear, or at least not too difficult!!

He did not know if heaven was playing a joke or if the Magic Beast was taking a nap today. Regardless, Luo Pei and the others walked for an entire morning, and even by noon, they had not encountered the expected “retaliation.” However, the rustling of grass and woods along the way frightened the highly tense group several times, though it turned out to be a false alarm every time…

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After walking a bit further, a member ran over to Luo Pei and said, “Director, if we go half a mile further, we will reach the place where we hunted the giant beast last time. Considering the time now…”

Half a mile? If calculated by a normal walking pace, half a mile would take about ten minutes, but if they proceeded cautiously, it would take at least half an hour. Hearing this, Luo Pei looked at the time and saw it was nearly noon. He felt hesitant. After thinking for a moment, he said slowly to the hunter, “Snow, go notify everyone. Find a place nearby to rest and recover our strength. We will move forward after eating lunch.”

This area was close to the previous hunting zone. It could be said that the most likely place for another Pinecone Bear to hide was nearby. Resting here was not very wise, but Luo Pei did not want to fight for their lives while exhausted. Therefore, he decided to rest first.

Hearing Luo Pei’s words, the members immediately sprang into action. They soon found a relatively safe open space in the woods and set up a simple stove to start a fire for cooking. Some people were busy starting the fire, while others looked for firewood. Isaiah Thomas, however, walked toward a mountain spring on the other side with Snow, intending to fetch some spring water.

The spring was not far; it was just a short walk around the camp…